MINI has unveiled the latest addition (the 6th) to their model range, the Roadster, which is basically a soft top version of the MINI Coupe.
The brand’s first open top two-seater which measures 3,734 mm in length, 1,683 mm in width, 1,390 mm and with a wheelbase of 2,467 mm, features a manually operated fabric roof and targets customers looking for car that combines ‘elegant sportines’ with ‘irresistible design’.
A batch of powerful engines combined with sophisticated chassis technology and handling are also features that make the MINI Roadster feel proud, and if compared to the Coupe version, two of the main differences apart from the missing rear seats are its 20 mm lowered ride height and increased luggage compartment with a capacity of 240 litres.
Scheduled to go on sale on the European market in spring 2012, the MINI Roadster will be available in four versions, all offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard.
These four version include the standard Cooper Roadster which uses a 1.6-litre petrol rated at 90 kW/122 hp at 6,000 rpm and 160 Nm/118 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm, the Cooper S Roadster powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol delivering 135 kW/184 hp at 5,500 rpm and 240 Nm/177 lb-ft between 1,600 – 5,000 rpm and the Cooper SD Roadster fitted with a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel capable of producing 105 kW/143 hp at 4,000 rpm and 305 Nm/225 lb-ft of torque between 1,750 – 2,700 rpm.
These is also the MINI John Cooper Works Roadster version which uses a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder petrol that outputs 155 kW/211 hp at 6,000 rpm and 260 Nm/192 lb-ft of torque between 1,850 – 5,600 rpm.
All these version which we just mentioned apart from the JCW Roadster are also available with a 6-speed automatic.
Pricing for the MINI Roadster, which will by the way also be available in the US, was not announced yet.
